Niagara University Tops Atlantic Hockey Preseason Coaches Poll

The Atlantic Hockey Association has released its 2013-14 Preseason Coaches Poll. The defending regular season champions Niagara University is atop the poll, followed by Mercyhurst and Air Force. Canisius, the defending AHA Tournament Champions, is at fourth.

The top four teams all received first place votes, and were separated by just 10 points. Niagara received 102 votes while Air Force and Mercyhurst tied for second place at 98 points. Canisius had 92 points.

1. Niagara (3)

T-2. Mercyhurst (4)

T-2. Air Force (2)

4. Canisius (3)

5. RIT

6. UConn

7. Robert Morris

8. Holy Cross

9. Bentley

10. Army

11. American International

12. Sacred Heart

(First Place Votes)

More from Western College Hockey Blog:

• The Big Ten's Top 5 Preseason Hobey Baker Candidates
• The NCHC's Top 5 Hobey Baker Candidates
• Hockey East Preseason: Top 5 Hobey Baker Award Candidates
• Top 5 Candidates for Hobey Baker from the ECAC Hockey League
• Former Boston College, NHL Veteran Marty McInnis Returns to Eagles to Join Coaching Staff

Jeff Cox covers college and junior hockey, recruiting, NHL Draft prospects and the AHL for SBNation. Follow him on twitter @JeffCoxSBNation.